ranch, but in the weeks after her elimination she gained a boyfriend: fellow contestant Daniel Wright.

"We didn't really like each other all that well in the beginning, and went from not liking each other to becoming friends to becoming best friends.

After we both left the show, we wanted to spend hours on the phone talking to each other.

In the end, it came down to two dads — Rudy Pauls and Danny Cahill — fighting for the 0,000 grand prize. I feel like a million bucks.” Amanda Arlauskas, who was voted into season 8 by viewers, earned the chance to compete against Danny and Rudy in the final when she won the viewing audience’s vote once again, this time over Liz Young.

Going from 430 pounds to a svelte 191, Danny dropped a jaw-dropping 239 pounds, 55.58 percent of his original body weight, to finish on top. Despite their fierce competition, the two finalists “are best friends,” Danny told Meredith Vieira on TODAY Wednesday. Amanda lost 87 pounds — 34.8 percent of her body weight — to tip the scales at 163 pounds.

Although Shay lost 172 pounds, her current weight of 304 is nowhere near her goal.

To her surprise, she was offered a financial incentive to continue her journey: For every pound she loses before the season 9 finale in May, Subway will give her

Going from 430 pounds to a svelte 191, Danny dropped a jaw-dropping 239 pounds, 55.58 percent of his original body weight, to finish on top. Despite their fierce competition, the two finalists “are best friends,” Danny told Meredith Vieira on TODAY Wednesday. Amanda lost 87 pounds — 34.8 percent of her body weight — to tip the scales at 163 pounds.

Although Shay lost 172 pounds, her current weight of 304 is nowhere near her goal.

To her surprise, she was offered a financial incentive to continue her journey: For every pound she loses before the season 9 finale in May, Subway will give her $1,000.

“I’ve accomplished the impossible in my life because you [were] by my side.

And now we’re going to be able to live our lives together forever if you’d accept this ring.” Alexandra, the first contestant to be voted off of season 8, gladly accepted.